Researchers have developed wave-shaped wall and roof designs that significantly reduce wind loads on low-rise buildings by up to 60%. The designs disrupt wind flow by creating a series of rounded hills and valleys, breaking up pressure zones and redirecting wind away from the building envelope.
Researchers developed a new experimental approach using high pressurization in a wind tunnel to simulate the flow physics in the atmosphere, offering new insights into optimizing turbine alignment, blade pitch angles, and tip speed to boost power output. The study also validated a computationally lightweight model for testing different...
Scientists have discovered that Jupiter employs a surprisingly complex system to counteract the solar wind's impact, using multiple frequencies of plasma waves to heat and slow down particles. This finding may help explain how powerful shocks function in other powerful energy releases, such as those from dying stars.
A new study reveals that collisions between individual pieces of Arctic sea ice provide a simple explanation for its movement, which could help scientists predict its transport as the Arctic warms. The study's framework may also be applied to other systems involving many objects colliding in unpredictable environments.
Chen Shi has received the 2026 Kamide Lecture Award from the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society for his research on plasma turbulence and its role in generating supersonic solar wind. This recognition acknowledges his contributions to understanding space weather, which can impact satellites, communications, and other technologies.
A large-scale study found that forests damaged by windstorms remain vulnerable to subsequent bark beetle or snow damage, depending on forest structure, climate, and topography. Forests with mixed stands and warmer conditions are more prone to bark beetle damage, while those on steeper terrain require closer monitoring for snow damage.
A Southwest Research Institute study of Solar Orbiter data provides the most detailed view of the heliospheric current sheet, revealing a clear change in ion composition tied to magnetic polarity flips. The findings offer new insights into the origin and composition of the solar wind.
A new study successfully uses audio deterrents to alert golden eagles to wind turbines, reducing collisions and deaths by over 50% at two wind farms in the Western USA. The system, called DTBird, emits warning sounds to attract the birds' attention and discourages closer approaches.
A large-scale expansion of offshore wind energy could lead to increased precipitation over offshore wind farm areas, while precipitation in adjacent coastal regions could decrease. This is due to wind turbines extracting part of the wind's kinetic energy and increasing atmospheric turbulence.
A new study models a future net-zero European power system and tests it against 80 years of historical weather data to understand how it would handle stress with periods of low wind and solar generation, combined with high demand. The study concludes that the risk is greatest during winter when cold and wind-still conditions persist, h...
A recent study by Kyoto University researchers used high-resolution drone and satellite imagery to assess the effectiveness of the 2001 Florida Building Code in reducing wind damage from hurricanes. The results showed that homes built under the new code were 22% less likely to suffer wind damage and had lower damage severity. Additiona...
A major review of bird and bat collision mitigation strategies concludes that future wind energy production must balance biodiversity protection. Smarter, combined approaches are needed to maximize wildlife protection at wind farms.
The Journal of Energy Infrastructure is publishing cutting-edge studies on energy infrastructure design, intelligent construction, and low-carbon transformation. The open access journal covers a broad spectrum of energy systems, supporting the transformation of energy infrastructure towards a safer and more sustainable future.
Researchers developed a cost-effective and sustainable approach to produce freshwater by capturing water vapor from the air using specialized materials. The wind-driven strategy utilizes hygroscopic polymer sponges integrated with wind-powered eddy current heating, generating up to 9.9 liters of water per day.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo have developed an algorithm for optimal pruning using LiDAR technology, which creates a detailed 3D model of tree architecture. By simulating wind forces on these models, they can identify vulnerable branches and recommend precise cuts to improve tree stability.
A Boston University-led study found that the solar wind strips away Mars' atmosphere by generating Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, similar to wind on Earth. The process drives atmospheric ion escape, with plasma clouds facilitating bulk escape.
Research based on China's Chang'e-6 samples reveals that Earth's magnetosphere has shaped the difference in solar wind speeds and energies striking the Moon's two hemispheres. The study found that the lunar far side underwent stronger isotopic fractionation, resulting in preferential enrichment of the heavier isotope.
A new study assesses China's ability to reach its energy-related carbon emission peak and related climate targets by 2030, accounting for uncertainties in total energy consumption and non-fossil energy development. The analysis finds that stronger policy support for wind and solar raises the probability of peaking emissions on time, wh...
Researchers developed an optimized energy management strategy for hybrid residential microgrids using Particle Swarm Optimization, reducing Net Present Cost by 12.01%, cost of energy by 16.09% and CO2 emissions by 17.65%. The study also found that battery storage had a strong impact on diesel fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
Researchers discovered that the solar wind slows down by 13-15% as it approaches the outer boundary of the heliosphere, aligning with previous models. This slowdown is crucial for understanding the impact of interstellar material on long-term space travel.
Scientists predict that New Horizons will encounter the termination shock as early as 2029 or as late as 2040, helping improve understanding of heliosphere interactions with interstellar space. The research aims to prepare for future missions exploring solar system boundaries.
Researchers recreated solar wind in lab to study space weathering's impact on the moon's surface. They found that nanophase iron formation suggests solar wind plays a major role in shaping the lunar surface.
A study by Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research found that Lesser Black-backed Gulls rarely visit wind farms off the Zeeland coast, except for some male birds. Despite being attracted to fishing boats outside the wind farm, the gulls' behavior suggests they avoid entering the wind farm due to unknown reasons.
A machine learning model, trained on 19 key parameters, can predict wind shear events with a minimum of 15 seconds warning. The model's outputs showed deviations from real outcomes within 5% across all forecast horizons, suggesting improved aviation safety.
By 2050, the North Sea is projected to have around 58,500 square kilometers of offshore wind farms, with the Netherlands occupying 19% of its waters. The UK, Germany, and Denmark are expected to dominate in scale, with the Netherlands being the most intensively used national zone.
Researchers have discovered the fastest wind near a supermassive black hole at ultraviolet wavelengths, driven by the quasar's surrounding matter disc. The wind's velocity is up to 30% the speed of light, making it unlike any hurricane on Earth.
Astrophysicists at Northwestern University have discovered evidence of a powerful wind blowing from the Milky Way's central supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*. The study resolves one of the longest-standing mysteries in astronomy and opens a new window into the physics at play in the center of the Milky Way. The team used five yea...
Researchers developed a physics-based framework to predict power fluctuations from renewables, enabling grid operators to mitigate surges and blackouts. The model correlates atmospheric turbulence with electricity output, allowing for accurate risk assessments of existing turbines and farms.
A recent study published in PNAS has found no meaningful health impacts from exposure to wind turbines. The researchers analyzed data from over 120,000 households and found no correlations between turbine installation and health problems such as headaches, depression, or sleep disturbances.
Researchers developed a VIV-TENG that utilizes vortex-induced vibration to generate electricity from airflow, achieving stable output under multidirectional airflow and maintaining performance in humid environments. The device can harness low-speed wind energy and power small electronic devices.
Researchers have developed a new approach to reducing bird collisions with wind turbines by using warning signals found in nature, such as yellow, red, and black colors. The study found that these colors combined with rotating motion were more frightening to birds than existing patterns used on wind turbines.
A new study published in Communications Sustainability reveals that investing in renewable energy yields more combined climate and public health benefits than direct air capture. The analysis models the health and climate benefit of cost-equivalent deployments of DAC, solar, and onshore wind across US grid regions from 2020 to 2050.
A new physics-based simulation framework predicts the likelihood of failure for different transmission tower designs across entire networks with 96% accuracy. The model accounts for various factors, including wind speed and direction, and rainfall intensity, to help power companies identify vulnerable towers and reduce power outage risks.
Researchers at ETH Zurich created a machine-learning-based map showing Europe's most beautiful and scenic regions. The study found that excluding these areas would reduce wind energy potential but increase costs per unit of electricity generated.
A recent study has developed an analytical model of downburst wind fields, which reproduces key observable features while adhering to fundamental mechanical principles. The model proposes a framework for assessing train overturning due to downbursts, with high train speeds identified as the most significant contributor to increased risk.
The LHAASO discovery reveals an astonishingly efficient particle accelerator powered by PSR J1849-0001, exceeding theoretical limits and challenging current theories of particle acceleration. The system's gamma-ray luminosity is several times higher than that of the Crab Nebula.
Researchers develop new concept to accurately model wind turbine loads, focusing on local gusts' impact on material fatigue. This enhances turbine design and efficiency by reducing uncertainties in load estimations.
A new computational model developed by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology shows that onshore wind is likely to supply around 25% of global electricity by 2050 and solar reaching about 20%, aligning with the 2°C target. However, this falls short of what is required for a 1.5°C goal.
Researchers developed a nonlinear galloping-driven triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid generator to harvest low-speed wind energy. The system can work over a wide wind-speed range and produce enough power to support practical electronics.
A study suggests that integrating wind and solar power into Ecuador's energy mix can prevent energy crises caused by droughts. The researchers found that large-scale wind and solar farms could increase the availability of hydropower, reducing the need for fossil fuels during dry periods.
Researchers developed a model to calculate snow accumulation on roofs, considering snowflake size and distribution. Larger snow particles lead to greater accumulation, while higher wind speeds reduce depth. The study provides insights for building codes and guidelines for snow loading.
Researchers from the University of Surrey found that combining wind turbines with wave, solar, and tidal devices on shared platforms generates more reliable power and reduces construction costs. The study identified hybrid offshore renewable energy harvest systems as crucial for meeting ambitious climate targets.
A new study reveals that offshore wind farms can create complex wake structures that interact with each other, affecting surface currents and sediment transport. The research suggests that turbines spaced farther apart can reduce turbulence caused by tidal wakes, leading to optimized wind farm designs.
A study analyzing 23 years of meteorological data confirms that wind patterns are a key factor in extending the grass pollen season. The research found that winds tend to be mild before peak concentration and transport/dispersion at the end, influencing pollen accumulation and transport.
The substance-energy network is a strategic concept for China's energy system transformation, integrating power grids and pipeline networks for flexible and resilient energy systems. It provides solutions for large-scale renewable energy consumption and high-reliability energy security.
A recent Stanford University study reveals that EGS can significantly reduce the amount of wind, solar, and battery infrastructure needed for a clean, renewable energy transition. Adding EGS to the renewable energy mix produces substantial infrastructure savings, including reduced land requirements and infrastructure needs.
Researchers developed a portfolio optimization framework to maximize offshore energy production by identifying optimal locations for wind turbines and marine hydrokinetic technologies. The study found that combining these technologies in suitable locations can significantly reduce costs and increase energy stability.
The article introduces the concept of an Energy and Environment Nexus as a web linking energy services, human well-being and environmental health. It proposes four imperatives of energy: power intensity, energy density, cost and scale to determine practical and sustainable energy systems.
Global renewable energy growth accelerates, covering all new electricity demand in the first half of 2025, with solar and wind leading the way. China's manufacturing dominance makes small-scale rooftop solar systems widely accessible, providing reliable energy security for millions across Europe, South Asia, and the Global South.
The CoDICE instrument has successfully collected first-light data from IMAP, measuring energized particles from interstellar space, the solar wind, and solar energetic particles. This will provide a better understanding of our place in the universe by studying the interaction between the interstellar medium and the solar wind.
A new nonlinear dynamic modeling framework captures complex tower-blade interactions, including torsional effects, achieving a remarkable agreement with high-fidelity benchmarks. The framework enables accurate and efficient simulations, contributing to the design of lighter, safer, and more economically competitive wind turbine towers.
The study applies causal machine learning to estimate context-specific effects of wind and solar generation on UK day-ahead and intraday electricity prices. The analysis reveals non-linear price effects that vary with renewable penetration levels.
A new rain correction approach using dual-frequency measurements from the WindRAD instrument aboard the FY-3E satellite significantly improves wind measurement accuracy during moderate rainfall. The method reduces wind speed root-mean-square errors by approximately 0.2 m s−1 and wind direction errors by about 1.6°.
The study found that about 70% of Kansas counties have some form of regulations, with 40% having enabling regulations to accommodate wind development. Counties in western and southern parts of the state tend to have more restrictive regulations, while rural areas with agricultural economies are more likely to have enabling regulations.
Research finds that commercial wind energy installations lead to a significant 3% increase in community home values after becoming operational. This effect is strongly correlated with the size of the energy project and positive impacts on school district revenues and per-pupil expenditures.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have developed two Artificial Intelligence methodologies capable of predicting extreme wind speeds with greater accuracy than traditional methods. The systems, trained on over 13 years of data, excel in forecasting severe events, allowing turbines to be shut down and preventing damage or collapse.
The University of Texas at Dallas has received a five-year, $500,000 National Science Foundation grant to support AI-powered projects in wind energy research. The grant will fund projects that incorporate artificial intelligence to minimize manufacturing defects and predict turbine component conditions.
The study highlights how wind farms have transformed rural landscapes, disrupting local agricultural markets and eroding rural identities. The research calls for a more participatory and place-based energy transition that respects local heritage and democratic governance.
The new framework enables decision-makers to test how different combinations of hydropower, solar, wind and energy storage affect both energy system costs and sediment delivery. Strategic optimisation can help minimize the impacts of energy transitions on natural ecosystems.
Recent experiments and field tests in a wind tunnel and quarry show that spherical rovers, known as Tumbleweed rovers, can harness the power of Martian winds to navigate over various terrains. The results validate simulations and demonstrate the potential for large-scale and low-cost exploration of the Martian surface.